Saint-Nicolas Church

Saint-Nicolas Church is arguably one of the greatest landmarks in the Loire Valley. Built between the 12th and early 13th centuries, this religious edifice stands on the site of an earlier abbey church and monastery, founded by Benedictine monks fleeing Norman invaders. Although damaged by Protestants during the Wars of Religion and the bombings of 1940, this sturdy monument has stood the test of time on more than one occasion. After countless reconstructions, it is now a beautiful blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles, featuring two magnificent capitals. Besides its vast choir and elegant altarpiece, the Church of Saint-Nicolas houses several relics, including those of Saint-Lubin and Saint-Laumer, as well as a fragment of the True Cross. In fact, this is why the church was a popular pilgrimage site as far back as the Middle Ages. It’s the oldest church in Blois, listed as a historical monument since 1840, and it’s open to the public free of charge. You don’t want to miss it!